Double alum named among Crain's top 20 in their 20s

Sheri Gordon is a senior analyst in government relations for a major defense company based in Michigan.

When alum Sheri Gordon switched her career path from medicine to marketing, she didn’t realize she would still end up saving lives.

As senior analyst in government relations for a major defense company based in Michigan that designs and manufactures armored vehicles for the armed forces, it’s not uncommon for Gordon to hear military soldiers tell her “your vehicle saved my life.”

The sense of meaning this brings to Gordon gives her great pride in her work. “It’s a very rewarding and satisfying job,” she said. “I absolutely love the company, I love the product we stand behind, I love the client we serve. It’s definitely become a part of my DNA now.”

Gordon used tools she gained from her Oakland University business education to propel herself from intern to senior analyst in five years, which is why she was named to the Crain’s 2015 class of 20 in their 20s, honoring young high achievers around Detroit.

“It feels absolutely surreal to be selected among such an incredible group of talented young professionals,” Gordon said. “I very vividly recall flipping through this very same list while working on my undergrad degree with other colleagues thinking ‘How cool would it be to be part of that group one day?’ To see that manifest years later is truly a humbling experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity.”

Gordon completed a Bachelor’s in Marketing in 2010, and she graduated with a Master of Business Administration, concentrating in entrepreneurship in 2012. She attributes much of her success to the “entrepreneurial coursework, attitude and posture” she learned from OU’s business school, which brought her out of her comfort zone, and taught her how to recognize business needs and develop ways to fulfill them.

Networking also plays a major role in her job, where she educates military clients about her organization’s products. “It’s all about building strong relationships with people and building trust,” she said. “If people can trust you and they have that strong relationship, it makes business a lot easier.”

Gordon advises students “your network starts now,” and she encourages them to get involved in student organizations. “OU has a lot of ties to high caliber alumni who are willing to come back, willing to come speak to classes, or come speak to student organizations like AMA."

Gordon makes it clear that along with her career, she also harbors great pride for OU. “I’m the biggest cheerleader for Oakland University.” She tells anyone looking for a business school that they “absolutely need to go to Oakland University, and here’s why: the caliber of professors and the resources they have on hand. It’s unbelievable.”